M&A – as ever – was a hot topic on just-food this week. Some deals were done – Hain Celestial acquired UK organic baby food firm Ella’s Kitchen and PAI Partners snapped European own-label giant R&R Ice Cream. Potential transactions were speculated about – the spin off of WhiteWave Foods prompted rumours over possible suitors and Unilever’s ongoing problems in spreads led to talk it could one day sell the unit.
Deal or no deal: General Mills touted as WhiteWave suitor
Dean Foods has formally given the green light for the spin-off of soy and organic business WhiteWave Foods – and analysts are setting out companies they believe could be interested in the Horizon Organic and Alpro owner.
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US/UK: Hain Celestial buys baby food firm Ella’s Kitchen
US-based food group Hain Celestial has made another acquisition in the UK, this time snapping up organic baby food firm Ella’s Kitchen.
Comment: Unilever’s strength in non-food could offer long-term boost to food
The divide between Unilever’s high-growth home and personal care business and its food operations has attracted reams of copy. Unilever’s stronger performance in emerging markets in non-food has prompted much speculation that the group could, at some point, split the businesses in two as it expands in developing economies. However, Unilever has repeatedly rebuffed such conjecture – and for good reason.
Read our editor’s column, which this week looked at why Unilever is likely to keep hold of its under-performing spreads business.
UK’s R&R Ice Cream gets new private-equity owner
PAI Partners is to buy R&R Ice Cream, Europe’s largest producer of retailer own-label ice cream – and one keen to boost its branded portfolio, too.
Interview: Cranswick looks to ramp up pig production business
UK pork processor Cranswick has acquired pig rearer East Anglian Pigs. Cranswick chief executive Adam Couch says pig production will form an “important” part of the group’s operations going forward and plans to ramp up investment in this side of its business. Michelle Russell caught up with Couch to find out more.
CANADA: Protein woes surprise Maple Leaf
Maple Leaf Foods today (2 May) admitted the problems within its protein business were worse than expected after reporting first-quarter company losses that more than doubled.
just-food briefing: Growth of the gluten-free market
We take a look at the potential offered by the gluten-free market around the world, examining where growth is being generated today – and where companies are looking to drive future revenues.
Sustainability Watch – International Finance Corporation
In this two-part Sustainability Watch, Ben Cooper looks at the lending activities of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the division of the World Bank that lends to private corporations, which is rapidly expanding its activities in the agribusiness sector.
On the money: Kellogg targets NPD to improve US snack performance
Kellogg has said it is taking action to improve the performance of its US snacks division, which will include a raft of product launches this year.
